"There's another new member," Makarov said.
"It's me." A voice responded from the other side.
Everyone turned around, except for Jehfrit who already knew. Their expressions changed drastically!
"What?!"
"How could it be him?!" Lucy exclaimed.
"You bastard!"
Natsu and Gray simultaneously got into fighting stances.
With a tough demeanor, a face full of rebelliousness, and "fashionably" adorned with piercings all over his face—this was none other than Gajeel, the Iron Dragon Slayer.
"Master, what is going on?!" Erza immediately said, clearly upset. "Juvia is one thing, but this guy destroyed our guild!"
"Don't worry, I invited Gajeel back," Makarov chuckled. "Gajeel is actually a good kid; he was just misguided by some adults with wrong ideas, leading him to make some mistakes. Since the Magic Council has released him, it means he didn't commit any major offenses in the past. For those who aren't too bad and want to reform, don't be too harsh. Give him a chance."
"But..." Lucy looked at Levy, indignant. "He hurt Levy!"
"I've already apologized," Gajeel said, lowering his head.
He genuinely felt guilty, but being a true iron-hard man, unlike someone like Jehfrit, his stiff apology didn't have the desired effect.
"Is that how you apologize?!" Gray snapped. "Can't you see Levy is scared?!"
"I can't take it anymore!" Flames erupted from Natsu's body.
"...," Gajeel didn't unleash his magic power, seemingly willing to take a beating as compensation.
"Forget it, Natsu." Seeing an impending fight, Erza finally spoke up, "Since it's the master's decision... let's trust him."
"But..." Natsu gritted his teeth.
"...," After a few seconds of silence, Gray also retracted his magic. "Forget it, Natsu. The past grievances were already settled. He destroyed our guild and hurt Levy, but you also severely injured him. If the master says to give him a chance..."
"Natsu..." Hearing Gray's words, Lucy calmed down and hugged Natsu's arm.
"Damn it..." Natsu immediately retracted his flames.
"Don't try any tricks, or both Natsu and I won't go easy on you!" Gray glared at Gajeel threateningly.
"Not interested." Gajeel turned his head away.
"Hmph!" Natsu snorted.
At that moment,
The room suddenly went dark.
"Huh? What happened?" Lucy became nervous.
*Click*
The next second, the lights in front came on.
Mira sat under the spotlight.
It was a stage.
She sat quietly, holding a guitar.
"Mira-san?" Lucy was surprised.
Mira smiled at everyone, and a magical microphone floated to her lips. She said, "To celebrate your safe return, Lucy, the rebuilding of the guild, and the welcoming of new members, let me sing a song."
Everyone quieted down.
"I couldn't wait for you to come and clear the cupboards"
Mira played the guitar, and her beautiful voice filled the air.
Everyone listened quietly.
Even Natsu lay on the table, not making a fuss.
Though they faced many dangers... they had returned safely. Listening to Mira's beautiful singing made them feel completely relaxed!
Lucy exhaled, her body limp as she slumped onto the table.
Pink hair appeared in her line of sight.
Natsu
Unconsciously, Lucy reached out and gently tousled Natsu's hair.
"Gray-sama..." Juvia cautiously sat beside Gray.
"...," Erza looked at Mira, her eyes complex, lost in thought.
Mira's song gradually approached the chorus.
"'Cause I really wanna stay at your housе"
After singing the last lyric, she looked at everyone and smiled.
"This is Fairy Tail, welcome back to our home."
Everyone smiled back, raised their glasses, and gulped them down.
"Cana, you're not doing well today," some teasing voices came from behind.
"That's not true at all!" Cana retorted defiantly.
Then,
A basin of beer poured over Jehfrit's bewildered face!
*Plop*
Jehfrit instantly fell asleep!
"This guy..." Gray was speechless.
Erza facepalmed.
"Hahaha, stupid Jehfrit!" Natsu burst into laughter.
"So fast!" Lucy couldn't help but say.
"Love!" Happy echoed.
"Ah crap." Cana turned around, slightly embarrassed—
Her action of lifting the barrel was a bit rough, spilling some beer. Jehfrit was sitting behind her unprepared—it was quite a coincidence.
Mira on the stage saw this scene and laughed while shaking her head.
"Hahaha, Jehfrit..." Everyone in the guild burst into laughter.
Mira finished the entire song and put down the microphone.
"Next, let me perform one!" Gajeel stepped onto the stage.
"This guy doesn't have another trick up his sleeve, does he?!" Natsu and Gray were shocked.
"I'll present my original song—Best Friend." Gajeel dressed extravagantly—a white suit paired with a white hat and sunglasses, deliberately deepening his voice when speaking.
"Colorful!"
The first lyric sung out stimulated everyone's ears!
What kind of hellish screech was this!
It was like nails scratching a chalkboard!
And multiple people doing it at once!
"So awful!"
"Get off the stage, Gajeel!"
Everyone cursed loudly.
"When it come to making bad music, I call you the strongest."
"Who wants to hear you sing?!" Natsu rushed onto the stage and punched Gajeel flying.
"You bastard!" Gajeel retaliated, and thus the two started fighting.
"Let me do it then!" Gray stepped onto the stage.
"Gray-sama, do your best!" Juvia's eyes sparkled.
*Bam*
Suddenly, a table flew out and hit Gray's forehead, knocking him over.
"Damn it!" Gray instantly became furious.
"How dare you hurt my Gray-sama!" Juvia fully unleashed her magic power!
*BOOM BOOM BOOM*
Guild battle erupted instantly!
"Ahh—" Lucy and Happy dragged Jehfrit under the table, covering their heads with trembling voices, "I knew it would end up like this!"
"Love!" Happy responded.
"What love?!"
"Love!"
"Lucy." Mira's voice came.
"Mira-san!" Lucy looked up, realizing Mira had somehow hidden under the table as well.
"Let me take care of Jehfrit." Mira smiled.
"Yes."
Mira adjusted Jehfrit's clothes and then carried him on her back.
Watching these gentle and skillful actions, Lucy's gaze became somewhat strange—last time it was like this too.
Happy covered his mouth with his paw, rolling his tongue, teasingly saying, "There's something going on~"
Mira gave Happy a "gentle" smile.
Both Happy and Lucy shivered and dared not say more!
Mira emerged from under the table, carrying Jehfrit, and avoided the battle area.
Pushing open the guild door, sunlight poured in.
She squinted; the sunlight was a bit blinding.
So she took a card from Jehfrit's pocket, deftly flipped it, and a hat appeared.
She casually placed it on Jehfrit's head.
"Good afternoon, Jehfrit."